Samuel Edward Hope (c. 1833–1919) was an American surveyor, military officer, and politician who served in the Florida State Legislature. Born in the early 1830s, Hope worked as a surveyor and bid on mail carrying routes in Florida. During his early military career, he served as a quartermaster for state troops and eventually attained the rank of captain, organizing a company of Florida soldiers during the American Civil War. He was wounded at the Battle of Reams Station in Virginia near the end of the conflict.\n\nFollowing the war, Hope represented Hernando County as a Democratic member of the Florida State Legislature in 1867. As an early resident of Tarpon Springs, he became a prominent local advocate, lobbying for the construction of the Anclote Keys Light on Anclote Key. In his later years, he remained active in civic affairs, campaigning for road improvement bonds in Pinellas County.\n\nFor decades, Hope persistently pressed the state government for financial compensation regarding funds and goods he and his business partner, W. W. Wall, had advanced to soldiers during the Seminole Indian Wars. Although his claims faced long-standing opposition, the Florida legislature finally paid the bulk of the compensation in 1919, the same year Hope died.
